The Guide to a Solar Powered Generator for Construction Sites

Date: 15/10/25

The deafening drone and choking fumes of a diesel generator seem to be as much a part of the modern construction site as hard hats and scaffolding. They make sites noisy, smelly and really bad for the environment, but it doesn’t have to be that way.

A Solar powered generator from Think Hire can deliver all the power your site needs, for lighting, power tools, staff welfare and even electric vehicles and plant, with none of the air or noise pollution of their diesel counterparts.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explain how solar powered generators work, discuss the top 10 benefits of switching to a solar powered generator, and show you how easily and affordably Think Hire can help your company to make the change to cleaner, greener power.

What is a solar powered generator, and how do they work?

Solar powered generators harness the energy of the sun to create a flow of electricity. Contrary to popular belief, they work using any light, not just direct sunlight, so they work on cloudy days too. 

Think Hire solar powered generators use photovoltaic panels to generate electricity, just like the ones you see on domestic roofs. The smart difference is that we’ve incorporated these into a compact and portable container-sized unit, called the Solartainer Versatile, which not only houses your solar panels, but all the associated equipment, including a backup generator and a battery energy storage system, or BESS, to store any excess power for you to use when the sun goes down.

Top 10 Benefits of Using Solar Generators on Construction Sites

As we discussed above, there are some immediately obvious advantages of using a solar powered generator, rather than a noisy, smelly diesel unit. And there are lots of other advantages too, including:

1. Lower Operating Costs - No fuel costs for solar energy and minimal fuel costs for a backup generator, plus lower maintenance costs than a full-time diesel generator

2. Lower emissions - No CO2, NOx or particulate emissions from solar powered generator, and significantly reduced emissions from part-time back-up generator

3. Minimal maintenance and fewer breakdowns - Because solar powered generators have fewer moving parts, they need less maintenance and are more reliable than diesel generators

4. Quieter operation - Think Hire solar powered generators operate silently, and their back-up generators are contained within the Solartainer unit to reduce noise pollution

5. Complete control - The energy management system built into every Think Hire solar powered generator gives you complete control of your energy distribution, both on site and remotely

6. Safer sites - With little or no diesel fuel stored on site there is significantly less risk of fire as well as less temptation for potential thieves looking for an easy win

7. Regulatory compliance - Solar powered generators are an ideal solution for areas with strict environmental controls, such as London’s Low Emission Zone, where standard diesel generators can be a problem

8. Greater reliability - When paired with reliable battery storage, solar powered generators deliver dependable power, including load sharing and peak shaving

9. Always-on power - Because they have batteries built in, and back-up generators for when battery levels drop below a set point, solar powered generators are always ready when you need them

10. Good for business - By enhancing your company’s sustainable credentials, solar powered generators will help you win more business from environmentally minded clients

How to Choose the Right Solar Powered Generator for Your Construction Site

If all these benefits interest you, but you don’t know where to start, or whether solar powered generators are right for your site, just get in touch with Think Hire. Our expert team has decades of experience designing solar powered generators and renewable energy systems for sites just like yours. They’ll work with you to understand your energy needs and design a system that delivers reliable, renewable power plus remarkable savings too.

Our solar powered generators are available for hire or purchase, and our team will help you to decide which is best for you. So say goodbye to noisy, smelly, polluting diesel generators, and let the sun rise on solar power for your site.

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